UKC

I've been running regularly for almost a year now and will be competing in my first marathon in May. A few months ago I went out and got some nice trainers to replace the old knockabout ones I've had for years. This was a Sweatshop store so all sorts of interesting tests were carried out on my feet and gait and the shoes chosen accordingly. When I run over 7 miles in these new trainers, however, I get large blisters around the midfoot area roughly the size of two 50p coins. I use double-layered 1000mile socks and place compeed blisters on the problem areas beforehand but the problem persists. With the old knockabout trainers, not really suited for long-distance runs, my feet are often fine or at least much better over 10 miles. It's making training over those longer distances pretty difficult. Is it perhaps how I land the foot, the shape of my foot or just the trainers? Advice would be greatly appreciated!

In reply to Strongbeard: Sounds like the arches are rather high.

However the worst blisters I ever had were in double layer anti blister socks. They sort of rolled around till there was a nice thick lump of floppy material on the inside of arches, and it really cut me up. I'd first of all advise you to try a similar run in a pair of simple, thin socks and see if it happens again. I'd keep the compeed off as well for this

In reply to Strongbeard:

get hold of some anti chaff stick and cover the affected area(s) its awesome stuff.

In reply to Strongbeard:
I get this with my Salomon XA trail shoes if I haven't worn them in a while. It's odd, as the blisters don't seem to cause me a great deal of pain, and once I've been running a few days consistently the skin toughens up and no longer blisters. I'm not sure that will happen for you, as you say it's having an impact on your longer runs (I never do more than 8mi anyway!).

I can't comment on the chaff stick, never used it but it could be worth a go. What works for me is Tensoplast tape, the 7.5cm width stuff. I've used it successfully for years in preventing blisters in myself and others (I was a medic with a military unit which seemed to specialise in giving people nasty blisters). It's a conforming elastic adhesive bandage and it's very sticky, so be careful when removing and don't put it over a formed blister unless you really, really need to i.e. to finish a race. Take a 6-8in strip under your arch with the hot-spot in the middle and bring each side up over the top of your foot. Make sure the skin is clean and dry first, and once the tape is on do 5min of gentle massage / warming over it to ensure you get a really good bond. You don't want the tape rolling in at the edges, but if that happens you can trim that section away.

As wbo says above, lay off the compeed. It's a sophisticated hydrocolloid dressing, and works excellently for healing in a clean environment. However in my experience if you plan to keep running it makes things worse, becoming a larger pressure point and a reservoir for infection.

Clearly though this is literally just a sticking plaster; try to get to a reputable fell-runner-type shop and see if they can help get you into some comfy shoes. Lakes Climber used to be excellent at fitting shoes, wouldn't know who to go to now. Having had some experience of gait analysis, I'd say it's probably meaningless without a very knowledgeable and experienced fitter.

In reply to Strongbeard:

That's interesting Strongbeard because I have had exactly the same thing happen to me. I have some La Sportiva Raptors that are great for trails but I wanted something for muddier and steeper stuff so bought some La Sportiva Crosslite 2. Anything over about 3 miles and I get blisters / rubbing on the inside of the arches that leads to blisters. It may be the last of the shoe or the insole that is causing the problem for me as they seem to curve under the arch. Annoying when you spend the money for a decent pair of trainers and try the sock combinations and nothing seems to work. My next move is to take the arched insoles out and put some Sorbothane ones in without the arch support. Hope you sort yours out!

In reply to Strongbeard:

Often blister on the midfoot are due to excessive pronation, ie elongation of the foot repeatedly. Wonder if your old shoes have better arch support, or trying something like superfeet to reduce it a bit?